Housing for Homeless Veterans Breaking Ground in East LA

This week we were proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of our newest development in East LA, El Nuevo Amanecer Apartments, alongside Supervisor Hilda Solis and our development partners. A partnership with New Directions for Veterans, the development will include 61 units of quality affordable housing, with 31 units of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and 28 units for low-income families (2 units set aside for management).

The ground breaking arrives nearly a week after the release of the 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count results, which showed a 12 percent increase in homelessness across LA County. As we near completion on a similar project, the 96-unit Sun Valley Senior Veterans Apartments, this new development affirms ELACC’s commitment to tackling the homelessness crisis by constructing permanent supportive housing in East LA.

“Projects like this should be welcomed in every community,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis. “I am hopeful that people will understand that it isn’t just a roof over someone’s head — it’s about wrap around services, it’s about mental health services, it’s about job training, it’s about healthcare…And that’s the good news about the County and all of us working together to combat homelessness for families and for veterans.”

At El Nuevo Amanacer Apartments, New Directions for Veterans will provide on-site services to the homeless veteran residents, such as full-time individual case management, mental and supportive health services, employment and educational services, and more. The project received 31 Project Based VASH Vouchers to subsidize the veteran units.

“We have witnessed how successfully veterans can thrive in a community of peers, where on-site supportive services enrich their lives and enhance their ability to live independently,” said Captain Leonardo Cuadrado, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Directions for Veterans. “El Nuevo will become home to veterans in need, and although there is still a homeless crisis in LA, this project is a huge step in helping our veterans get back the independence they deserve.”

All tenants — veterans and families alike — will also have access to resources provided by ELACC’s Tenant Services, such as after school tutoring and financial literacy classes. Additionally, all tenants will enjoy the building’s amenities, including 61 residential parking spaces, 10,000 square feet of commercial ground floor retail, four laundry rooms, two community rooms, recreational courtyard, fitness room, community garden and terrace, and ample bicycle parking.

ELACC President Isela Gracian recognized financing partners and the construction team that worked together to make this development a reality. They include: New Directions for Veterans, CREA Bank, CIT Bank, Los Angeles Community Development Agency, California Housing and Community Development – Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention “VHHP” Program, Housing and Urban Development, The Home Depot Foundation, and the Office of Supervisor of the 1st District, Hilda Solis.